"Hello? If you need money, just ask. My parents will even sell the only land we have back in our village to save me," the boy pleaded desperately. "Just let me go—I have a bright future ahead of me. Oh, you know what? I can become your sidekick. How about that? You don't like it?"
He swallowed hard, voice trembling. "Okay, how about I become your servant? You don't like that either?"
"Whaaaat the hell do you want, you fucking bitch!" Parvej suddenly snapped, shouting as he glared at the boy.
The boy immediately cowered, tears welling up. "Okay, I'm… I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I take it back. Please forgive me, just let me go." His voice cracked as he began to cry.
"Shuuush," Parvej hissed, trying to soothe him but still cold.
Turning away, Parvej spoke into his phone. "Hey boss, if things go well, that boy will be delivered tomorrow. This kid talks way too much. I hope that girl tortures him to death. Nah, maybe roast him alive. Yikes."
A deep voice answered. "That boy talks less than you, huh? Good. So, I assume your meeting went well?"
Parvej hesitated. "Yeah, I think we can trust the lady. She seemed very trustworthy."
"Seemed? You're not even sure?" the boss questioned sharply.
"No, no, I didn't mean that. She is trustworthy. She'll deliver half the money through the bank and the rest in cash right after we deliver the product."
"Where does she want the product delivered? I don't want trouble with the police. There are even private detectives hunting us."
"She owns a big house with a pretty big basement. We can take the product there and get the deal done."
The boss replied firmly, "Tell her we'll be wearing our organization masks and clothes."
Parvej glanced nervously around. "Do we have to? What if the police see us?"
The boss fixed him with a heavy stare. "Yes. Don't worry. They won't."
"Ah… okay, whatever you say, master. I'll tell her right away. Hope she doesn't mind."
The boss added, "I didn't tell you to wear the mask this time when you visited her at the restaurant. Someone crazy might've gotten suspicious."
Just then, Rofiq piped up eagerly, "Hey master, will I go too? I don't wanna miss anything."
"No, you won't, Rofiq," the boss said curtly.
Rofiq's voice grew desperate. "I always get left out! Wish you'd give me more chances to prove myself. I can do so much more for you."
The boss mocked him, "Oh, you sure can. That toilet stinks. Why don't you go clean it up?"
"Pardon?" Rofiq blinked.
The boss gave him a cold stare.
Rofiq swallowed and muttered, "Ah… I'll get it cleaned right away, master." (Damn it, this guy is so annoying. I wanna kill him as soon as I can.)
The boss turned back to Parvej. "You and I are going. Tell her we can't take off our masks or clothes. That's organization rule—no exceptions. I don't care if she doesn't buy the boy. There are plenty of other customers. It's not always about money."
"Yes, master. Done," Parvej replied.
Elsewhere, Detective Tihsan spoke quietly to Blizzard.
"Hey Blizzard, you sure they trust you? Those guys can't be trusted—they're serial killers, remember?"
Blizzard shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe I messed up a bit, but I still have hope. Everything must work out."
"They'll be extra careful if you did mess up," Tihsan warned.
Suddenly, Blizzard's phone buzzed. "Hey, look! I got a new mail. It's from them!"
Tihsan's eyes widened. "Read it."
Blizzard smiled nervously. "Oh my… they really do trust me, bro!"
"What?!" Tihsan demanded.
"Yes! They'll come to my place tomorrow with the boy. Wait… what's this? They'll be wearing masks and clothes. What are they planning?"
"They'll wear masks? Sounds like they're hiding something," Tihsan said thoughtfully.
Blizzard shook her head. "Don't overthink it. This organization always wears those stupid masks and clothes. Top members never take them off while working."
"But what if—"
"No, stop. The boss of that man is coming. He's a top member. Of course they'll wear masks. Trust me on this."
Tihsan sighed. "We can't rely on faith. This is serious business. Okay, I hope you're right."
"I can't wait for tomorrow," Blizzard said excitedly. "We'll catch that boss and make him spill everything about the organization. All those people they killed will finally get justice. Tomorrow is a big day."
Tihsan nodded. "You sure the boy is alive? Protecting him is our priority."
Blizzard nodded firmly. "They have a reputation for giving the best 'product.' They don't kill their 'merchandise' easily. Usually only right before delivery. I told them not to kill the boy. I convinced them I'm some freak who likes human toys, haha. So I think he's fine."
"Okay, let's wait for tomorrow," Tihsan agreed.
At school, Walid grinned. "Alright, bro. We're investigating that teacher."
Bappi pumped his fist. "Hell yeah! No evil should escape us. Let's attend classes first, then follow him after school."
Suddenly the teacher's voice boomed, "You two are late—10 sit-ups while holding your ears!"
Bappi groaned, "Ah shit, here we go again."
Nearby, Zubayer teased, "You two have been acting weird lately. Is it because of Rahul? That guy got close to you fast. Losing him must be hard. Chill, though—you should play more cricket with us."
Bappi smiled. "Thanks, bro. We'll try, but not today. We're busy."
Zubayer laughed. "Yeah yeah, busy playing with dolls while we play real sports. Haha."
Bappi shot back, "Once I'm done with my work, I'll beat you in sports."
Zubayer scoffed, "Last time you played, you didn't score a single run. What a comedian."
School ended, and Walid nudged Bappi. "Look, teacher is leaving the building."
"Yeah," Bappi whispered. "Let's sit here and act like we're talking about something else so he doesn't get suspicious."
They watched quietly as the teacher walked away.
Walid nodded. "Let's go. Oh no… He's walking down the road with another teacher."
Bappi whispered, "I know the other teacher—he lives nearby. Let's follow them."
The two teachers walked together until one reached his home. They said goodbye and parted ways. Walid and Bappi kept following the teacher who had punished them.
Bappi pointed, "See, he's alone now."
Walid frowned. "But I think we're nearing his house."
The teacher stopped. The door opened, and a child of about five or six appeared.
Bappi smiled softly, "That must be his daughter. She's so cute."
A woman came out and kissed the teacher. Walid sighed. "He has such a lovely family."
Bappi added, "Maybe we were wrong about judging him."
Walid nodded. "Yeah, we should go home."
Feeling relieved they had misjudged the teacher, Walid and Bappi headed home with satisfied expressions.
In another part of the city, Blizzard and Detective Tihsan prepared to catch the criminals tied to the missing students case.
Blizzard asked, "Do you think they'll bring guns with them?"
"What kind of question is that?" Tihsan replied sharply. "They're a huge criminal organization. They must have tons of guns. Especially after one of their members was killed a few days ago."
Blizzard smiled. "The stakes are getting higher. We can't afford a single mistake. Did you bring your gun? You have a habit of forgetting it sometimes."
"I've got it ready," Tihsan assured her. "Just do your job right."
Blizzard laid out the plan. "Since there might be three people coming, one will stay back for security while the boss and another handle the boy. As soon as the boy is handed to me, you shoot and kill one of them. I'll scare the boss and tell him to throw away his gun."
"Sounds good," Tihsan nodded.
There was a knock on the door.
"They're here," Blizzard said, going to check.
A moment later, she called out, "Oh hello, welcome to my house. Feel free to ask for anything."
A masked voice answered, "Hello… Blizzard, was it?"
"Yes," she replied. "And you must be the boss? Both of you are wearing the same mask—I can't tell if Parvej came or not."
The voice said, "Parvej is busy with other work. I'm accompanied by Rofiq."
"Come inside," Blizzard invited. "It's a big place. We can sit and handle things."
They refused, saying, "We can't see while wearing this mask indoors—we never take them off. Hope you don't mind. Besides, why don't you go get the money? We can't wait all day."
Blizzard thought, Does this guy know Tihsan is inside? He could have taken one down silently. This guy is calm… What's his plan?
"Blizzard, hey, snap out of it," a voice teased.
Blizzard laughed nervously. "I'm just excited to see my product. Hope you've fed him well."
"We have," the boss assured. "Your product is in the best condition. Rofiq, open the container and let her see him."
Rofiq slowly opened a container. Inside was the boy, tied up.
Blizzard smiled wickedly. "Oh my, he looks gorgeous. I can't wait to get my hands on him. My dog will love a new partner."
She went inside and returned with a bag full of money.
"We'll start signing the papers. Tell Rofiq where to put the boy and make sure he doesn't run away."
Blizzard suggested, "You enjoy a cup of tea while Rofiq follows me. How will you see through that mask inside my house?"
Rofiq replied, "Take me to a very bright room."
"Perfect," Blizzard thought. Yes! I'll take him to a dark room.
Rofiq picked up the boy and followed Blizzard inside. Once inside, Blizzard whispered, "Leave the boy on the floor here."
Just as they were about to leave the house, a gunshot rang out.
Rofiq collapsed, a silenced bullet through his head.
Blizzard rushed outside to see if the boss noticed. He was busy counting money.
Blizzard saw the boss reach for his gun. Tihsan shot his right hand. The gun dropped.
Before Tihsan could move closer, the boss removed his mask and pulled something from his pocket.
He ate it quickly.
"Is that poison?" Tihsan wondered aloud.